Before you get started, make sure you've been through the basic tutorials on using the Circuit Playground. You'll need to have installed the Arduino IDE, added the Circuit Playground board to Arduino, and added the Circuit Playground library. This excellent guide, Introducing Circuit Playground and Circuit Playground lesson #0 will show you how to do all of that and get you going.

Plug your Circuit Playground into your computer now, and launch the Arduino IDE. Double check that you've selected the board and port as in the Lesson #0 tutorial and are ready to upload code.

Required Parts

A Circuit Playground!

 

Available at Adafruit

Micro USB Cable any length. You probably have one of these around, they're the most common USB cable.

 

Make sure its a data/sync cable!

 

USB cable available at Adafruit

A HUUUUUUGE number of people have problems because they pick a 'charge only' USB cable rather than a "Data/Sync" cable. Make 100% sure you have a good quality syncing cable. Srsly, I can't even express how many times students have nearly given up due to a flakey USB cable!

Battery Holder with power switch

 

3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST

3 AAA batteries

Technically, this project could be done without batteries, since USB supplies power, but having batteries allows you to enter your unlock code and prep the Vault before making the connection.

Optional Parts

3D Printed Enclosure

The Password Vault was designed to be enclosed in a 3D printed case that allows access to the battery pack ON/OFF switch as well as the four copper pads for entering the unclock code.

If you like, download and print the case yourself, or send the files to an online 3D printing service.

You'll also need the following hardware to fasten the case:

Alternate Enclosures

You can also choose to make your own unique enclosure. Build one from PVC pipe, a tennis ball can, or maybe hide it inside a bandage box, it's fun to look around your garage, junk drawer, or the hardware store to see if you can reimagine something as a cool new case for your Password Vault.

This guide was first published on Sep 01, 2016. It was last updated on Sep 01, 2016.

This page (Prep the Circuit Playground) was last updated on Aug 22, 2016.

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